HIDDEN LEGACY : THE FAME OF THE FORGOTTEN HEIR

Chapter 2 : Dealing with an Annoying Matthew.

Everyone was gathered in a hall where the entire Campbell extended family was present, including uncles, aunts, and relatives from Elizabeth Parker Davis's side, who was celebrating her 72nd birthday.

With a smirk on his face, it seemed that Matthew was still not satisfied with belittling the small gift brought by Benjamin.

"I'm absolutely certain that a poor, unemployed man like Ben wouldn't be able to afford expensive items. I'm sure the package only contains garbage that would make Grandma sick just by looking at it.

"I'm baffled by how a loser like you can always manage to embarrass your own wife like this." He directed a scornful gaze at Olivia, who had been silent and standing beside her husband all this time.

Benjamin and his wife had been trying to avoid Matthew ever since they entered the hall, but Olivia's older brother kept hovering around them, only to mock the couple.

Suddenly, two neatly dressed male servants with bow ties were seen carrying a large antique vase adorned with a red ribbon. The servants approached the gathering, captivating the attention of all the guests who were mesmerized by the supposedly valuable vase worth millions of dollars, according to Matthew.

From the beginning, he had been flaunting his supposedly expensive gift.

"Handle my gift with care, make sure it doesn't get scratched. This vase is incredibly expensive, even more so than the dignity of an unemployed person who only brings secondhand gifts," he commanded his employees, accompanied by insults directed at Ben, who tried to remain unaffected and casually sipped on the orange juice in his hand.

Now the vase stood proudly next to Matthew's figure as he proudly showcased the gift that he claimed to be worth millions of dollars to the people around him.

"Look! Can't you all see how beautiful my gift is? Let me explain a little so you, poor folks, understand ... This vase is one of the ancient Roman royal relics. It's so valuable that even exchanging a homeless person's kidney like Ben's wouldn't be enough to buy it," he sneered, eliciting laughter from the crowd. His mocking words ended with a faint remark that could barely be heard by those nearby.

"Pathetic loser," he uttered, directed at Benjamin's face. Throughout the entire ordeal, Ben chose not to engage with his brother-in-law's mockery and instead focused on enjoying the food served by the waiters.

Olivia had refrained from participating in the conversation that held no interest for her, although she couldn't help but feel a slight annoyance building up inside.

"Olivia," Matthew called out to his younger sister, who stood a few steps away from him. "Don't you think my gift is beautiful? It's far more expensive and valuable than the gift from your loser husband, isn't it?" he continued, his question left unanswered.

Olivia's face momentarily reddened as she glanced from left to right, noticing that all eyes seemed to be focused on her. She felt embarrassed and humiliated.

"I pity you, you're truly unfortunate! You should have been able to secure a wealthy man who is worthy of us. Unfortunately, your fate is wretched, and now you're just as much of a loser as your husband," Matthew continued, forcing her to listen to his remarks. However, it was not Olivia or Ben who responded.

"Matthew, that's enough! Watch your words! It's pitiful how you mock Olivia like this," reprimanded their mother, Victoria Bennett Davis. However, Matthew didn't respond accordingly, despite his eldest son's slightly startled expression.

In fact, Matthew continued to intentionally insult his sister in front of all the guests present.

"I'm only speaking the truth, what's wrong with that? Just look at her! Now Olivia has descended to a lower level because she has a poor husband. The mere mention of his name disgusts me," he sneered.

Perhaps Benjamin can still remain so calm when insulted, but not his wife. "Stop mocking his name, Benjamin ... His name is Benjamin. His name isn't that difficult to remember.

"Besides, at least ... Ben doesn't use his parents' money just to buy gifts for others.

"Benjamin may not be able to buy expensive items as gifts, but at least it's money he has earned through his own hard work," Olivia suddenly defended, leaving everyone around them slightly stunned.

Matthew's face turned angry, feeling embarrassed as people shifted their gaze towards him.

"Mom, Dad, look at your arrogant child! Now, she dares to challenge me," Matthew said to their parents, who stood in the same room.

"Marrying a loser has made her life even more miserable. She has also turned into a pitiful loser. You are truly pathetic, Olivia!" her brother sneered again, but this time Olivia couldn't retaliate, except for feeling ashamed with flushed cheeks.

In Olivia's mind at the moment, she was very certain that everyone in the room would undoubtedly look down on her and Ben.

Olivia's emotions were now mixed, with indescribable feelings, especially since this was the first time she defended her husband in the midst of family discussions and relatives who almost always questioned Benjamin and his background.

Every time they attended events like this, he was always ridiculed, as if he was truly looked down upon.

Edward Davis, who had been silent all this time, let out a heavy sigh, seemingly tired of this perpetually tumultuous household, even on his mother's 72nd birthday, especially with so many relatives present, witnessing the situation now.

"Enough, Matthew. Isn't it impolite to discuss trivial matters on your grandmother's special day? If Mrs. Elizabeth sees all of this, she would surely be disappointed," commanded Edward Davis Campbell, shifting his attention from Matthew to Ben and Olivia, who only managed a forced smile, trying to hide their embarrassment.

Everyone remained silent and attentive, while Victoria Davis attempted to divert attention by engaging their relatives in conversation and inviting them to enjoy the dishes offered by the waitstaff.

"But, Dad … aren't you ashamed to see your son-in-law bringing such a cheap gift from a flea market to this extravagant family event?" he asked, glancing at his sister with a pointed gaze.

"How disgraceful," Matthew sneered at Olivia once again.

After growing bored of Matthew's behavior, Ben, who had remained silent all this time, finally reacted. He approached his brother-in-law, bending down as if closely examining the gift beside him.

"What are you doing? I warn you, don't get near my expensive gift! You might damage it. If this item gets ruined, you won't be able to replace it," Matthew shouted, pushing Ben's shoulder to keep him away from his precious gift, capturing the attention of all the relatives and guests once again.

Benjamin stood calmly. "No, I was just looking at it. But, would it be polite if I tell them the truth?"

Ben's question raised eyebrows among the family members, especially his perplexed brother-in-law. "What?" Matthew asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Well ... I think I should say it! It seems like you've just bought a fake item as a gift. This vase is fake!" Ben confidently responded, causing all the guests to focus their attention on Ben and his brother-in-law.

"What? Fake? Is it true that the vase is fake?" Voices of the guests repeated the question, questioning the truth behind Benjamin's statement, while Matthew's expression slightly changed, pale with humiliation.